Very snowy. The
Sibley D. T. relief train arrives with news of the fall of Vicksburg. Rumor
that M. T. Thomas, our colonel, is enroute for Ft. Abercrombie. I cut my wood.
I got out five lines of Virgil, commencing 75, book 2.
SOURCE: Lewis C.
Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 13
Today’s special rumor is of a scheme of disunion, fathered by the Hon. Howell Cobb of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury, who is now favoring us “mudsills” of New York with his presence and talking sedition. His plan is said to be the secession of all the Southern states and of the commercial portions of the Middle and New England states. New York, I suppose, is to be divided by a line crossing the Hudson at West Point. This is lunacy incredible of a man who goes at large. But, I fear there is no doubt that this Honorable Cobb, one of our highest officers of state, is in shameful alliance with the most advanced destructives and secessionists of the South, and stands ready to become a traitor upon the first eligible opportunity for treason. There is reason to fear that our disgraceful old chief magistrate, James Buchanan himself, is in the hands of men like Cobb and ready to become their instrument.
Even anti-Republicans seem to find this a little too much to bear. The attempt to bully us is barefaced. If these threats are in earnest, they will drive all the North into earnest, resolute resistance, with very little distinction of party. If they are merely part of the electioneering programme of the administration and the South, it is a rash and indiscreet programme. The crack of the plantation whip is too audible.
Caleb Cushing foreshadowed something like this in a speech last summer, when he said in effect that Abolitionists need not suppose the civil war which their fanaticism was bringing upon the country would be remote and confined to the South. “No, we will begin it here, in the streets of Boston.” But the dream of setting up insurrection against our "State Sovereignties” of New York and Massachusetts in enthusiastic loyalty to the "peculiar institution” and the nigger-owning aristocracy is too extravagant to be entertained by any sane man not under the influence of whiskey, opium, or hasheesh.
SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, pp. 54-5
The talk today is that Fusionism may carry this state after all. Then the election goes into the House and would be long contested before a majority could unite on any one of the three. Excitement would be prolonged and sectional fury intensified. I don’t feel like voting for Lincoln, but I should be sorry to see New York frightened into voting for anybody else, even if the inevitable crisis were thereby postponed to 1864. It may as well be met now; and were Lincoln to be beat, I believe the Southern states would go into convention, nevertheless, so scared and angry are they.
Old Mrs. Hayward of South Carolina is at the New York Hotel in deep affliction and alarm because it is well known that “the abolitionists” have consigned large invoices of strychnine and arsenic to the slaves of her neighborhood. So Mrs. S. B. Ruggles reports, who saw her yesterday.
Mrs. Sally Hampton spoke the other evening at Mrs. Peters’s of Dr. Lieber’s having lately presided at a German Republican meeting at Cooper Institute. “So unfortunate for his son” (in business at Columbia or Charleston), “he was doing so well, and, of course, this ruins all his prospects at the South”!!! This is tyranny beyond King Bomba. If severance come, we must console ourselves for its calamity by remembering that we are freed from a most disreputable partner.
The Hon. Cobb, at Duncan, Sherman & Co.’s office, has been openly damning the blindness and stupidity of the capitalists who have taken the United States ten million loan at a premium, and declaring it is not worth fifty cents on the dollar. (So Charley Strong reported on respectable authority.) Pretty talk for a Secretary of the Treasury! I guess he put this loan into the market just at this time in the expectation it would not be taken, and hoping to make capital out of its failure for his own clique of traitors.
SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 55
The days are so much
alike I have given up noting the doings of each as it comes. Since February 1st
our meeting-house tent has been repaired and raised again. Rumor of a move came
early in the week and has kept us guessing ever since. I think it means something,
for the sick in camp hospital have been sent to the general hospital in New
Orleans. The weather has been of all sorts. Cold and windy and then a thunder
and lightning storm that shook the very earth. The hospital is filling up
again, too. Twenty men from Company K were reported to-day, and five from
Company B. I fear my turn is coming, for in spite of all Dr. Andrus does, my
cough does not let up.
SOURCE:
Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 86
The weather is a little colder tonight, just freezing. Exciting news from Charleston. The Steamer “Star of the West” with troops to reinforce Maj Anderson was fired into yesterday and she turned off to Sea. Maj Anderson threatened the City with Bombs if she was again molested. We hear that she is in the Harbor landing her troops and stores at Fort Sumpter. It has been rumored this afternoon that the Gov of Virginia had ordered two Regiments to Harpers Ferry to take possession of the U S Arsenal &c, and that their passage through this City will be resisted by the Govt. I have not been well today, and have not been out of the house since dinner.
SOURCE: Horatio
Nelson Taft, The
Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11,
1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C., image 7.
Nothing unusual last
night. I am relieved at 6. A. M. & marched the pickets to the Regt. which
is on the road at 6.45, at which time the train is getting up. The troops move
out on 3 roads. Bertrams Brigade on the left, Smiths Corps on the right &
Grangers corps in the centre, as we march through the camp ground of 16th Corps
am surprised at the completness & extent of the breastwork constructed by
them last night. At 12. M. our advance is fixed on by a Reb Picket post, on a
hill on which the corps halts & goes into camp at 7, good running water
near. We fortify immediately. A negro comes in who reports having seen Steeles
army near Blakely, we are tonight within 2 miles of Spanish Fort a strong
position on top of a hill mounting 16 heavy guns besides other bateries about
it, the 3 columns fire each a signal gun on their camp ground to denote their
situation. this is responded by the
Gunboats, in the Bay. Expect to invest Spanish Fort tomorrow. It is rumored
that Bertram captured by surprise battery of 6 guns. (doubtful)
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 580
Working parties
return at daylight at which time the ball opens again The Enemy were
reinforcing last night from Mobile, a little bolder & give us a shell
occasionally & quite a no[.] of minnie balls fly over our heads, one of the
35th Iowa is killed in camp near us while packing his Knapsacks At 9.30 Cos.
"G" & "B" ordered out as sharpshooters &
skirmishers had to advance 400 yds through fallen timber exposed to the fire of
the enemy, while advancing, Martin Walraven was wounded in the right fore arm. gain our position within 100 yds of the
Fort & throw up earth works to protect us, were relieved at 3.30 by co K,
in coming away John Metz is wounded in the left shoulder & Jo. Dungan in
the back passing into the thigh, K Co is to stay until morning. Our Gunboats
get up close enough to lift a few shells into the main fort this P. M. When
this is seen the boys raise a shout for we all depend a great deal on the
Monitors. All the Regts build earthworks from 6 to 10 ft. high to camp behind,
1 man of the 50th Ind Killed by a shell while in camp some guns in our camp
broken by a shell. The 1st Ind heavy artillery is reported to have arrived at
the landing with 72. Mortors & heavy Parrot guns. It is rumored that our
gunboats sunk one & disabled one transport for the enemy. 4 rockets sent up
from the fort & it is rumored that the Infty is being transported to
Mobile.
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 581
At 12. last night
the Jonnies made a charge out of their forts on the skirmish line, draw it in
on the left where the 7th Vermont was stationed, camps wise all around & on
the alert. brisk firing for an hour, some rain falling
about this time. At 3. A. M. co C. relieves Co E. on the skirmish line They
come in all whole & were not drivn back. reported that about 30 of the 29th
Iowa were gobbled by the 7th Vermont giving back & letting the Jonnies
in their rear; The day passes so so. Artillery firing from both sides. Reb
Mortar boats shell us considerably & heavy firing on the skirmish line all
day, some of the heavy guns to be put in position tonight. This evening the
reported capture of the men of the 29th is contradicted Co "C" is
relieved after dark & bring off 3 prisoners with them, they were out sharp
shooting & got to close They talk confidantly & say we can never take
Mobile or Spanish Fort which by their act is manned by 6000 reinforcing every
night, one Brigade of the 16th A. C. is sent off this P. M. as guard to supply
train with rations for Genl Steele who is in the vicinity of Blakely &
reports to Genl Canby that he can keep reinforcements from coming here by land
or allow it. Genl C. says to allow it. (this is rumor) There is a telegraph
from Genl Canbys Hd Qtrs to all the Div Hd Qtrs & to the landing at our new
base about 4 miles from our position. The Rebels use heavier guns today. Have a
chill this morning & feel quite ill all day.
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 581-2
Weather cool &
cloudy much rejoicing over the victory gained at Ft. Henry Our success in that
section we think decides the fate of Columbus Rumors are current that fighting is going
on in the region of Ft. Henry and Donelson. Nothing definite.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 235
Clear but cold.
Guard mounting at the usual hour Lt Allen Officer of the Guard. Inspection of
Battalion by the Staff at the usual hour 10 O'clock 48th Ind. arrived here last
night 2 Regts also came down from St. Louis this evening It is reported that Fort Donelson is taken
by our troops.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 235
Why do I not love to
be near the sea better than among the mountains? Here is my home, if birthplace
makes home. But no, it is not my natural preference; I believe I was born
longing after the mountains. And rivers and lakes are better to me than
the ocean. I remember how beautiful the Merrimac looked to me in childhood, the
first true river I ever knew; it opened upon my sight and wound its way through
my heart like a dream realized; its harebells, its rocks, and its rapids, are
far more fixed in my memory than anything about the sea. Yet the vastness and
depth and the changes of mist and sunshine are gloriously beautiful; I know and
feel their beauty. Still, I admire it most in glimpses; a bit of blue between
the hills, only a little more substantial than the sky, and a white sail
flitting across it; or when it is hightide calm, — one broad, boundless
stillness, then there is rest in the sea, but it never rests me like the strong
silent hills; they bear me up on their summits into heaven's own blue eternity
of peace. But is it right to wrap one's own being in this mantle of peace,
while the country is ravaged by war? — its garments rolled in blood, brother
fighting against brother to the death? The tide of rebellion surges higher and
higher, and there is no sadder proof that we are not the liberty-loving people
that we used to call ourselves, than to learn that there are traitors in the
secret councils of the nation, in forts defended by our own bravest men ; among
women, too: "Sisters! oh, Sisters! Shame o'ladies!" A disloyal woman
at the North, with everything woman ought to hold dear at stake in the possible
fall of this government, — it is too shameful! I hope every one such will be
held in "durance vile" until the war is over.
But will it end
until the question is brought to its true issue, — liberty or slavery? I doubt
it: and I would rather the war should last fifty years, than ever again make
the least compromise with slavery, that arch-enemy of all true prosperity, that
eating sin of our nation. Rather divide at once, rather split into a thousand
pieces, than sink back into this sin!
The latest news is
of the capture of the Hatteras Forts, a great gain for us, and a blight to
privateering at the South; — with a rumor of "Jeff Davis's" death,
which nobody believes because it is so much wished. Yet to his friends he is a
man, and no rebel. War is a bitter curse, — it forbids sympathy, and makes us
look upon our enemies as scarcely human; and we cannot help it, when our foes
are the foes of right.
SOURCE: Daniel
Dulany Addison, Lucy Larcom: Life, Letters, and Diary, pp. 100-2
Played ball this
forenoon and in the afternoon were detailed to extinguish a fire which
destroyed the best part of town. The Post Office, one of the best buildings,
was burned. We had dress parade at 4 o'clock. Gen. Logan's address to his
troops was read to us. Grant and McPherson were both here today. It is rumored
that the "Star of the West" has been captured.
SOURCE: Seth James
Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells,
Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 41
Oxford. Nothing new.
Laid in camp. Many rumors afloat of Richmond taken, Bragg defeated, etc. Health
improving.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 18
Knoxville, Tenn. We are shut out from all intercourse with the
rest of the world. Even Dame Rumor has retired behind the scenes, exhausted,
doubtless, by the herculean efforts she has put forth the last few days. By the
last and only mail we have had since we came here, we received a bundle of
Detroit Tribunes, dated September 15th. Since then the silence of isolation has
enveloped us. There is a tiny sheet published daily at Knoxville. It is silent
on all except local subjects, and nearly so on them. I notice, in yesterday's
edition, a convention has been held by the people of this county to nominate
delegates to a state convention, to be held at Nashville, for the purpose of
nominating a state ticket. The delegates pledge themselves to support no
candidate who is not truly loyal. Thus, while politicians and demagogues are
wrangling over "reconstruction and territorial admission," the people
are solving the most difficult problem by the most simple process.
SOURCE: David
Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer,
1862-1865, p. 101
We were expecting a
gay time to-day, it being the first anniversary of the capture of New Berne. It
was reported that besides a review we were to have various salutes and plenty
of beer. We were awakened about five o'clock by a salute, and, although we
growled at the early hour, started out to see the fun. We soon found the
saluting was done with shotted guns. Belger and Morrison were posted on
the river bank, firing as fast as they could. The old "Hunchback,"
using her 100-pounder, and a little farther down stream, the
"Delaware" pegging away at the woods beyond the little fort where the
92d N.Y. Regiment was stationed, they firing also and the river alive with shot
and shell from the rebels. We were immediately ordered out in "light
marching order," and it looked as if our breakfast as well as our beer
would get stale.
Rumors were plenty.
About ten o'clock it was reported that we were going across the river to
relieve the troops there, but stayed quietly where we were, hearing everything
and seeing very little. By four P.M. everything was quiet, and the company
returned to barracks. A mail was distributed, and the boys are busy answering
letters, for the boat leaves in the morning.
SOURCE: John Jasper
Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.
Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, pp. 41-2
Fresh calls for
shoemakers. A few weak ones give their names but are not accepted. Negroes have
begun additional fortifications working all night and Sundays, falling trees
and making the night air ring. Last night my mind was filled with thoughts of
the misery of this place; I could not sleep. One poor boy near cried all night
and wished to die and suffer no longer; he is an awful object; his clothing is
gone but a rag of a shirt; his body is a mere frame, his hair has fallen from
his head; his scurvy ankles and feet are as large as his waist. I never saw a
sight more appalling. Then the awful thought that he is a man, somebody's
darling boy, dead and yet breathing. And he is but a sample of many. To think
of it blunts one's faith in men as brothers.
This forenoon a
priest came in saying he had great news; we are to be exchanged. He read his
news; it stated nothing definite, a mere if-so-to-be-perhaps, and yet he tried
to make us believe it did. Then he preached about the blessed apostles and
dealt out hell-fire in big rations unless we accepted certain theories. It was
not consoling. It is true Fremont and Lincoln are both nominated. I [visited]
an Ohio 100-day man taken in Maryland since the nomination. He thinks the Fremont
ticket will be withdrawn.
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, pp. 94-5
Several men of our
regiment are failing fast. H. D. Merritt is an object of pity and getting
worse. We have cut his hair close to keep the myriads of lice out. He has lost
all disposition to try to save himself. About 400 of Gen. Stoneman's command
captured in the vicinity of Macon, were turned in here today. They report Maj.
Gen. Stoneman captured. His expedition to that point with the intention of
coming here has proved disastrous. Rations suspended. Sick ordered to the gate
at night; and ordered to be brought again in the morning. None to go who can
walk.
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 97
Regiment under arms
all afternoon. Logan exploded another mine. He blew up quite a large portion of
their works and a number of rebels—seven lit inside our lines dead; one darky
was alive and says he was blown up three miles. No assault made. Our mine not
yet ready. Everthing indicates another general assault soon. Rumor says it will
be on the 4th of July. Weather exceedingly hot.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 19
This morning
received telegram that my nephew, Samuel Welles, constructing engineer at Mare
Island, died last evening at 7.15 from injuries received by the explosion of a
steam boiler in the Navy Yard. His death is a loss to his country as well as
his family, for he was one of the most promising young men in all my
acquaintance. Had it pleased God to spare his life, he bade fair to be at the
very head of his profession, and would from his ability and integrity have
been, if he chose public life, among the first citizens of California. Although
young, he was the ablest and best civil engineer in the service, and I know not
how nor whom to select to fill his place. Of fine abilities, excellent
judgment, great kindness of heart, suavity of manners, and readiness to serve
and befriend others, he endeared himself to all who knew him. I loved him as a
son. He had always great respect and affection for me, had spent much time in
my family, and was almost as one of our household. In September he was to have
returned home and to have been married. But, alas, all is changed.
There is rumored
this evening that Postmaster-General Dennison has resigned. I shall not be
disappointed if such is the case. For two or three months he has wavered on important
measures, been less intimate and familiar personally than he was, and some
recent indications and remarks have prepared me for this step. If it has not
been taken already, I have little doubt that it soon will be.
Harlan and Speed
will follow. Whether Stanton will go with them is doubtful. Although he has
been fully with the Radicals in all their extreme measures from the beginning,
he has professed to abandon them when the President made a distinct stand on
any subject. I am, therefore, uncertain what course he will take; but if he
leaves he will be likely to be malevolent. He is selfish, insincere, a
dissembler, and treacherous. Dennison, however, is honorable and manly. If his
Radical friends have finally succeeded in persuading him to go with them, he
will do it openly and leave the Cabinet, not remain to embarrass and counteract
the President, or, like them, strive to retain place and seek the confidence of
his chief to betray him.
I read to Blair my
answer to Doolittle concerning the national convention. He is highly pleased
with it and suggested I should make a point on the imminent danger of another
civil war. Blair repeats a conversation with Boutwell, a Massachusetts fanatic,
who avows that the Radicals are preparing for another war.
Blair says the
Radical programme is to make Wade President of the Senate, then to impeach the
President. Having done this the Radicals will be prepared to exclude the
Southern Members from the next Congress, and the Southern States from the next
Presidential election.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, pp. 551-2
Rumor in camp today
that Mobile is evacuated. dont know. & that a blockade runner was captured.
Evening both rumors false. Jewish smuggling craft loaded with Liquors was
seized & confiscated beautiful day but misty rain in the evening
SOURCE: “Diary of
John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa,
Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576
